Should the Clutch Be Pressed When Braking While Driving?
2 Answers
When driving at high speeds, if the intention is merely to reduce speed, pressing the brake does not require pressing the clutch. However, when driving at low speeds, such as at around 40 km/h in fourth gear or 30 km/h in third gear, it is necessary to press the clutch to prevent insufficient torque and avoid vehicle shaking. The clutch is used in three scenarios: starting the vehicle, shifting gears, and braking at low speeds (to prevent stalling). Generally, when slowing down, the clutch does not need to be pressed, but in emergency situations, both the clutch and brake should be pressed simultaneously. Methods for decelerating a car include: 1. Releasing the accelerator; 2. Pressing the brake to slow down the vehicle; 3. When the vehicle speed and engine RPM drop and further deceleration or stopping is required, pressing the clutch to disengage the engine from the transmission while continuing to press the brake.
Having driven for over twenty years and encountered all kinds of road situations, whether to depress the clutch when braking in a manual transmission vehicle depends on the circumstances. If the speed is relatively high, such as lightly braking to decelerate on a highway, you can completely avoid touching the clutch pedal, allowing the engine and wheels to remain connected; the car will decelerate smoothly without any issues. However, when the speed drops very low, such as coming to a stop at a city traffic light, you must simultaneously depress the clutch; otherwise, the engine will stall. Once stalled, power steering fails, making control difficult and potentially causing a rear-end collision. I remember once stalling in congested traffic because I forgot to depress the clutch, prompting honks from the car behind me—experience has taught me that anticipating speed changes in advance is crucial. Regular practice to familiarize yourself with your car's behavior is key. With automatic transmission vehicles, there’s no such concern; you can simply press the brake directly.